Its clever clogs (plural). Clogs are shoes worn by working people especially up here in the North. 'Sparking clogs' was the term used by people who made sparks from the metal 'cegs' underneath the clogs to stop them wearing out too quickly. I just about remember people wearing them. If you were considered, 'too clever by half', a 'clever clogs' it was a slight criticism, sort of like you were showing off superior intellect in an environment that certainly did not need it (the cotton mills). Of course that was bollocks, it was only because people stood up and were counted that we no longer have 6 year olds working 16 hour days in appalling conditions. I am very very proud of my clever clog ancestors.

Strange. I thought a clog meant a dummy or a bit of a smuck. New one for me. I like smarty pants, myself. It cuts down pretentious people. Never forget that episode of Frasier when this everyday guy, when asked by Frasier why he didn't like him, replied, "Well, I think you are a smarty pants." Frasier knew he was right, and so did we the audience.

My father was Dutch and I have a very Dutch name. So yes, clever clogs was used in school. Though mostly clog head ! Boys being boys and all that.?

Let's take the conversation out of the gutter and just call the clever clogs smarty pants!

Hmm nope, couple other clever c-words maybe ?but I can't say I've had the pleasure. There are traditional mountain cloggers in this part of appalachia and Im an anglophile for TV comedy but Ive missed that expression.

Yes ..it's very British..Clever Clogs = SmartyPants .= Too Clever...normally compared to the Duhhh...that is calling you that....

No, but only because I don't hang out with enough English people, apparently.

I have been called clever, and also called a smart ass, but I have never been called a clever clog. I don't even know what it means.

No sir... Nor a cox-comb...

I don't what that words mean, but they can call you whatever, you are still awesome and smart to me!!

Lol no